#JOM! GO: 10 compelling local boat journeys

MANUKAN ISLAND, SABAH -- There is a tropical resort atmosphere to the Kota Kinabalu waterfront as the city is blessed with five nearby tropical islands. Protected as Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, there is little development and just a few resorts. Manukan is the most popular and houses park headquarters and the Sutera Sanctuary Lodge. While the island is popular with day-trippers, a lucky few staying in the lodge have the island all to themselves in the evening. Dine in two outlets, swim, snorkel or enjoy a jungle trek. While sunsets are exceptional, it is a 6am sun rising behind Mount Kinabalu that is most spectacular. Contact: Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Manukan Island (www.suterasanctuarylodges.com.my). PICTURES BY DAVID BOWDEN

SUNGAI MELAKA CRUISE, MELAKA -- Small cruise boats travel along the Sungai Melaka between 9am and 11.30pm, going past some of Malaysia’s oldest heritage buildings. Tours depart from Spice Garden Jetty (Taman Rempah) and travel down river to Melaka Square Jetty and back, passing old Portuguese/Dutch and British colonial buildings, colourful murals, inviting cafes and bars fronting the river and Kampung Morten, the nation’s oldest Malay village. The 45-minute return journey is useful for first-timers to identify popular sites. Covered, open-sided boats are used with an informative commentary provided. Tickets can be purchased online or from the ferry terminus. Contact: Melaka River Cruise (www.melakarivercruise.com).

LABUAN ISLAND, OFF SABAH -- While it is just 8km off Menumbok along the Sabah mainland, getting there will take three hours as most ferry services to Labuan depart from Kota Kinablu, a 120km-long journey. Ferries depart from Jesselton Point and arrive in Victoria, the main town on Labuan, seating 200 passengers in first and economy seats. Now a federal territory, the 92sq km Labuan was to be another Singapore, as the British had initially planned. It didn’t materialise and Labuan is now an offshore financial centre with duty free status. The last lures Sabahans but there are some tourist attractions and activities such as diving and snorkelling (at six surrounding islands), visiting a former coal mine, lovely beaches and the Labuan War Cemetery. Contact: Jesselton Point (www.jesseltonpoint.com.my).

MANGROVE CRUISE, LANGKAWI -- A journey along the mangrove-lined coastal inlets of northern Langkawi is the island’s most popular eco adventure. These mangroves are ecologically important for wildlife and fish breeding as well as protecting the coastline from natural events such as tsunamis. Intrepid explorers will see macaques, reptiles and birdlife, including White-breasted Sea Eagles and Brahminy Kites. Choose a recognised nature guide and avoid operators who feed birds and animals. These animals do not need feeding as they have abundant natural food in the waters and mangrove forests. Hotel tour desks can arrange tours or book directly with appropriate operators. Adventurous travellers can explore the mangroves in a kayak. Contact: Jungle Walla (www.junglewalla.com).

TASIK CHINI, PAHANG -- This is one of Malaysia’s more remote and less visited freshwater lakes but well worth exploring. Facilities are limited but boats, boatmen and a good local Orang Asli guide are available and should be sought out to maximise your visit. The lake’s abundant lotus flower blooms make it worthwhile as do thickets of pandanus plants lining the lake’s foreshore. Fishing attracts some visitors while birdwatchers also find the experience rewarding. The most visually exciting time to be on the lake are dusk and dawn when the light is perfect for photography. This is a journey for wildness warriors. Contact:

PULAU TIOMAN, PAHANG -- Scheduled commercial flights no longer operate to Pulau Tioman so you have no choice but catch a ferry. Depart from Tanjung Gemok (Pahang) and Mersing (Johor) on the east coast for five villages on Tioman’s west coast — Genting, Paya, Tekek, Air Batang and Salang. Tioman’s relative isolation makes it appealing to divers, snorkellers, nature lovers and families seeking a holiday just metres from the waters of the South China Sea. Tanjung Gemok is the closest port for those travelling from Kuala Lumpur while Mersing is the more appropriate port for Johor and Singapore residents. Ferries are crowded during holidays and weekends. The ferry services can also be affected by the monsoon so it’s best to make bookings online in advance. The ferries are large enough to travel over all except during the rough monsoon season. Contact: Cataferry (www.cataferry.com).

PENANG NATIONAL PARK, PENANG -- Many people hike from Teluk Bahang into Penang National Park which is considered by some to be the world’s smallest national park at 2,562sq km. Yet others will choose to depart by small boat from Kuala Sungai Penang on the island’s northwest coast. This combines the riverside wetlands as well as the rarely visited Pantai Kerachut and Pantai Ketapang where turtles lay their eggs. Journey with an experienced nature guide who can lead onshore treks through a peat swamp forest, mangroves and the unusual meromictic lake location just beyond Pantai Kerachut. This trip provides a completely different and fascinating contrast to Penang’s cultural and heritage assets. Contact: Freedom Getaway Adventures (www.freedomgetaway.org).

SUNGAI TAHAN, TAMAN NEGARA, PAHANG -- Malaysia’s largest national park is an essential visit for those who enjoy nature and remote rivers such as Sungai Tahan. Hire a boat and head off from Kuala Tahan up Sungai Tahan, a tributary of Sungai Tembeling, the main river. Much of the journey is through a picturesque avenue of overhanging emergent trees. Various trails start from the river. There is also a fish hatchery along the way to the cascading rapids of Lata Berkoh. The adventurous can swim here and enjoy a natural jacuzzi from the water tumbling down the rapids. Contact: Mutiara Taman Negara Resort (www.mutiaratamannegara.com).

SUNGAI SARAWAK CRUISE, SARAWAK -- Sarawak’s riverfront is one of Malaysia’s liveliest, with an eclectic combination of the old and new. The two-level M.V. Equatorial, equipped to carry 170 passengers, offers a unique view of the historical Main Bazaar, the Astana, Fort Margherita, old Court House, State Mosque, the new pedestrian bridge and other grand buildings and landmarks. The Sky Deck is covered but open-sided while the lower deck is enclosed and air-conditioned. Various cruises are offered — from the popular sunset cruise to dinner cruises and private charters. Cruises offer complimentary orange juice and the famous local layered cake. Contact: Sarawak River Cruise (www.sarawakrivercruise.com).

SUNGAI KINABATANGAN, SABAH -- This tributary of the Sungai Kinabatangan is possibly Malaysia’s most rewarding wildlife excursion. Expect to see Proboscis Monkeys, Orang Utans, macaques, birds and reptiles along the narrow stretches of the thickly-forested Menanggul riverbanks. Expert nature guides are important in locating animals. Many operators now use near-silent electric motors. The last time I was here, I departed by small boat directly from Sandakan and travelled along the coast through Nipah Palm forests of the Lower Kinabatangan River. I even saw a small herd of Borneo Pygmy Elephants. Contact: Borneo Eco Tours (www.borneoecotours.com).

David Bowden dons his life jacket to discover some popular and a few less-visited tourist sites around Malaysia

WITH so many islands and rivers, it's not surprising there are numerous locations in Malaysia that are best visited by boat.

In some situations, there is no choice as the people who live in these places are wholly dependent on a boat journey to keep in contact with the outside world.

Explore Malaysia and fly local cheaply with AirAsia Promo Code.

#JOM! GO: 10 compelling local boat journeys

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